How to Open a Romanian Bank Account Using Wise.com in 2026
A Romanian bank account Wise setup sounds simple, but the facts changed. Wise is a financial platform and not a bank. According to the Wise help center, new RON account details are not available right now. Wise points users to GBP account d...
A Romanian bank account Wise setup sounds simple, but the facts changed. Wise is a financial platform and not a bank. According to the Wise help center, new RON account details are not available right now. Wise points users to GBP account details for receiving RON. Sending money to a Romanian bank account with an IBAN still works.
This guide explains what Wise can and cannot do for Romanian leu, how to receive RON from abroad, how to send money to Romania, and when you still need a traditional Romanian bank. Wise updates availability by country, so confirm each point on the official Wise help pages linked below.
What Wise Offers for Romanian Leu
Wise works as a multi-currency money account with local payment routes in some currencies. A Romanian bank offers a full domestic banking relationship. The two serve different jobs.
| Need | Wise | Traditional Romanian bank |
|---|---|---|
| Hold RON in a current account | Not a bank account, and new RON details are unavailable per Wise | Yes, with a full local account |
| Receive RON from abroad | Sender pays RON by SWIFT to your GBP details, up to 5 working days | Receive directly on the local IBAN |
| Send money to a Romanian IBAN | Yes, to any bank account in Romania | Yes, with domestic transfers |
| Branch service, cash, local loans | Not offered | Offered by most banks |
| Best for | Non-residents, freelancers, remote teams moving money across borders | Residents, local companies, payroll and tax needs |
Receiving RON: What the Wise Help Page Says
Wise explains RON account details on its help page about receiving money with RON account details. The page lists several points.
- New RON details are unavailable. The page says new RON account details are not available right now. Wise suggests using GBP account details to receive RON.
- Users outside the EEA lose RON details. If your address is outside the EEA, you cannot keep RON account details after 31 December 2024.
- RON details are not a bank account. You can share the details so others can pay you, and money received is credited to your main account.
- Domestic senders pay by bank transfer. A sender inside Romania can pay in RON with a bank code and account number. The page does not mention an IBAN for RON details.
- International payments need a different route. RON details cannot receive international payments.
- Fees and speed. Domestic receiving has no fee and no limit, and arrives within 1 working day. Wise does not charge extra for international RON payments, but correspondent banks may charge their own fees.
Older articles, including earlier versions of this guide, described a Romanian IBAN for RON receiving. Treat such claims as outdated. Check your own Wise account to see which details are available to you.
How to Receive RON From Outside Romania
When the sender lives outside Romania, Wise describes a different route. The sender pays RON by SWIFT to your GBP account details. Follow these steps.
- Open your Wise account and find your GBP account details.
- Send the GBP details to the payer. Include the full name on the account.
- Ask the payer to send RON by SWIFT to the GBP details.
- Ask the payer to choose the United Kingdom as the country of the recipient bank.
- Tell the payer to leave the RON as RON. Some banks try to convert RON to GBP, but Wise says conversion is not necessary.
- Wait up to 5 working days for the payment to arrive.
Check the payment before you promise a deadline to a client. Plan for the longer delivery time, and ask the sender for the SWIFT confirmation. Correspondent banks may deduct fees along the route.
Sending Money to a Romanian Bank Account
Sending to Romania works well. Wise publishes a guide to RON transfers with these rules.
| Topic | What Wise states |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Any bank account in Romania |
| Details needed | Recipient full name and IBAN, usually 24 characters starting with RO |
| Limit per transfer | Up to 5.3 million RON |
| Timing | Usually about 1 working day after conversion, and conversion can take up to 2 working days |
| Not supported | Romanian government taxes, insurance, or fees which require a personal ID |
These rules fit payments to contractors, suppliers, and staff in Romania. They do not fit tax payments to the authorities. Pay such obligations through a Romanian bank.
Sending From RON
Wise also limits sending from a RON balance. The same guide states you can send RON only from banks within Romania, and you cannot send RON by SWIFT. Funds usually reach Wise in 0 to 1 working day, depending on the payment method. Cancelled bank transfers refund in up to 2 working days, and card payments refund in 2 to 10 working days.
Which Route Fits Your Situation
Your situation decides the best route. Use these three common cases as a guide.
- You are a freelancer paid by a foreign client. Ask the client to send RON by SWIFT to your GBP details, or ask for payment in a currency where Wise shows local details for your account. Plan for delivery of up to 5 working days on the SWIFT route.
- You pay a contractor in Romania from abroad. Use Wise to send RON to the contractor IBAN. Collect the full name and the 24-character IBAN, and confirm the amount is below the 5.3 million RON limit.
- You run a Romanian company. Open an account with a Romanian bank. Tax payments, payroll, and local authorities need a full bank account, and Wise does not support payments of government fees which require a personal ID.
If you fit more than one case, use both tools. A Romanian bank handles domestic obligations and Wise handles cross-border payments. This split keeps costs low and avoids rejected payments.
When You Need a Traditional Romanian Bank
A Romanian bank gives you something Wise does not. Choose a bank when you need any of the following.
- A full local current account in your own name or in a company name.
- Payment of Romanian taxes, insurance, or fees requiring a personal ID.
- Cash deposits, overdrafts, or local loans.
- In-person branch service.
- A local IBAN for payroll or a marketplace which rejects payment institutions.
Company founders should also check bank requirements before incorporation. Banks set their own onboarding rules for foreign owners, and the rules change. Ask the bank for its current document list before you plan a timeline.
How to Open a Wise Account
Opening a Wise account takes minutes, but verification can take longer. Gather your documents first. A blurry passport photo slows the process.
- Create an account on Wise.com or in the app, and choose personal or business.
- Enter the legal name, date of birth, phone number, and address Wise asks for.
- Complete the identity checks Wise requests. Business accounts need company and ownership details.
- Open the currency balances you need and review the account details Wise offers in your country.
- Add money, then send or receive payments through the routes described above.
Wise describes its account as an alternative to a bank account. Read the Wise guide to opening a bank account online for the general process. If you work across several markets, the guide to opening a Wise AUD account in Australia shows the same local details model in another country.
Fees and Checks Before You Rely on Wise
Wise states domestic RON receiving has no fee. Other costs appear when you convert money, send transfers, or use a card. Wise shows the fee and the exchange rate before you confirm a transfer. Compare the final amount received with a quote from a Romanian bank. For a full fee breakdown of Wise Business, read the guide to Wise business fees.
- Check which account details Wise shows for your country before you give details to a client.
- Confirm with the client whether a payment institution account is acceptable.
- Test with a small payment first.
- Keep records of SWIFT confirmations for international RON payments.
- Review the Wise help pages again every few months, because availability changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Wise give me a Romanian IBAN in 2026?
The Wise help page on RON account details says new RON details are unavailable right now. The page also does not mention an IBAN for RON details. Check your account for the current options.
Is Wise a Romanian bank?
No. Wise is a financial platform. RON account details are not a bank account.
How can a client from abroad pay me in RON?
The client sends RON by SWIFT to your GBP account details. Wise says this takes up to 5 working days.
Can I send money to a Romanian bank account with Wise?
Yes. Wise sends to any bank account in Romania using the full name and IBAN of the recipient. The limit is 5.3 million RON per transfer.
Can I pay Romanian taxes with Wise?
No. Wise does not support payment of Romanian government taxes, insurance, or fees requiring a personal ID.
Conclusion
Wise works for sending money to Romania and for receiving RON through GBP details. Wise does not replace a full Romanian bank account, and new RON account details are not available right now according to the Wise help center. If you only need to move money across borders, Wise is often the lighter tool. If you need a local banking relationship, tax payments, or cash services, open an account with a traditional Romanian bank. Verify each detail on the Wise help pages before you rely on a route.
